Volume One, Chapter 12: The Handsome Uncle Comes to Help

Prince Jin had always been exceedingly vain about his appearance, and hearing the words "handsome uncle" truly pleased him to the core. Especially coming from such a delicately beautiful little girl, he could not help but smile.

Yet he still tried to maintain his noble and aloof demeanor. "You sure know how to speak. Gu Silang, you’re too heartless. Even if you have no one else, you wouldn’t make such a young child your maid, would you?"

"Handsome uncle, I’m my father’s daughter, not a maid," Gu Changning corrected in a soft, childlike voice.

"Oh, so you’re the adopted daughter of Gu Fourth." Prince Jin regarded Gu Changning with great interest, then suddenly laughed. "No wonder you’ve changed your attitude all of a sudden—turns out you have such an adorable daughter."

"The servants in the manor have grown slack, almost causing trouble for Changning," Gu Jingzhi explained briefly. Then, lowering his voice tenderly, he said, "Changning, whatever kind of maid you want, this handsome uncle can find someone just right."

"Can Changning choose two maids who know martial arts?" The little girl said without hesitation, then, as if doubting herself, timidly added, "Is that okay?"

Gu Changning was already adorable, and with that little expression, like a sweet kitten, she was simply irresistible.

This only made Prince Jin more amused, and he teased her deliberately, "You’re such a little girl; why would you need maids who know martial arts?"

"With maids skilled in combat to protect me, Father wouldn’t have to worry about Changning," the child said innocently, though Prince Jin sensed there was more behind her words.

Half-jokingly, he said, "Little girl, why don’t you become my daughter? I’ll bring you back to the prince’s residence. With me protecting you, no one would dare to bully you."

Gu Changning nervously stepped back two paces and clung to Gu Jingzhi’s arm, earnestly saying, "Thank you, handsome uncle, but Changning already has a father."

"Hahaha, Gu Silang, you really are fortunate. I’ll bring the people over. Let Zhongbo and Nurse Wen take care of them. Bizhu, Suxin, come in."

No sooner had he spoken than two girls of about twelve or thirteen entered.

"We pay respects to the prince," they said.

"You two will stay at the Hou residence from now on. She is your mistress," said Prince Jin, pulling Gu Changning to sit beside him and pointing at the two girls. "The one in green is Bizhu. She’s strong and skilled in kung fu; if there’s a fight, call on her. The one in red is Suxin. She’s exceptional at lightness skills; if you can’t fight, have her carry you away to escape."

---

"Thank you, handsome uncle," Gu Changning quickly expressed her gratitude. With maids skilled in martial arts, she would no longer be so helpless facing Gu Xingchen and the monsters lurking in the Hou residence.

Meanwhile, the emperor, having heard that Gu Jingzhi's condition had worsened, sent imperial physicians to Qingzhu Residence.

The imperial doctor’s expression was grave as he examined Gu Jingzhi’s left and right hands in silence, leaving both Gu Changning and Prince Jin anxious to the point of distress.

Gu Jingzhi, however, remained calm and composed. "Doctor, please speak plainly. I’m well aware of my own body’s condition."

Glancing nervously at Prince Jin, the imperial physician finally revealed the truth: "Your Highness, Master Gu’s illness has persisted too long and has already affected his lungs severely. However, with careful treatment and medicine, he may still have over ten years to live."

"You were sent here by the emperor to treat him, not to spout nonsense. I think you don’t want to live anymore," Prince Jin roared with fury and nearly kicked the doctor to the ground.

"Your Highness, I am but a humble servant with limited knowledge, but the illness is not without hope," the doctor knelt trembling, fearing the wrath of the prince, who was as merciless as the grim reaper himself.

"If you had a cure, why didn’t you say so earlier? You really have no sense of survival." Prince Jin raised his foot again.

Gu Jingzhi quickly intervened, "Your Highness, it is my body that fails me. Why take it out on the doctor?"

Hearing this, the despondent Gu Changning suddenly brightened, stepping protectively in front of the doctor and asking eagerly, "Grandfather, is there any way to save my father?"

"If we could find the miraculous doctor Cang Lan, Gu Silang might be saved."

The moment the doctor mentioned Cang Lan, Prince Jin’s barely suppressed anger flared up fiercely. His eyes were like hungry beasts, fixed on the doctor and frightening him into collapse.

Seeing the doctor’s life hanging by a thread, Gu Jingzhi forced himself to sit up and stopped Prince Jin, instructing, "Zimo, escort the doctor back."

"Let go! Today I will skin him alive!" Prince Jin gritted his teeth, restraining himself out of concern for Gu Jingzhi.

"Handsome uncle, who is Cang Lan? Where can we find him?" Gu Changning’s clear eyes shone with hope, causing Prince Jin’s heart to tighten, uncertain how to answer.

Bizhu spoke up, "Cang Lan is called a miraculous doctor because of his eccentric personality. Though he possesses the skill to bring the dead back to life, he rarely saves anyone. Moreover, he is elusive, and finding him is nearly impossible, let alone having him treat someone."

---

Hearing this, Gu Jingzhi feared Gu Changning would become fixated on the matter and quickly changed the subject. "Changning, the imperial physician said your father still has over ten years to live. Ten years—there’s always a way."

"Mm," Gu Changning obediently nodded. Ten years of life, and a miraculous doctor who could save her father—any of those were wonderful news.

After some conversation, seeing Gu Jingzhi’s spirit flagging, Prince Jin rose to take his leave. Understanding, Gu Changning followed him out. "Father, I’m going to see off handsome uncle."

Prince Jin’s long legs strode quickly, and Gu Changning had to trot to keep up.

Sensing the little girl struggling, Prince Jin stopped. Unaware, she bumped right into him.

"Ouch, that hurts," Gu Changning rubbed her nose.

Prince Jin chuckled and teased, "Have you decided to come back to the prince’s residence with me?"

"No, no," Gu Changning quickly waved her hands, frightened. "Changning just wants to ask handsome uncle for help."

"Oh?" If it’s something you can’t say in front of Gu Silang, Prince Jin grew even more curious about this little girl.

"Changning wants handsome uncle to help watch for any news about the miraculous doctor," Gu Changning looked up at him with hopeful eyes. "Handsome uncle is so capable; surely there’s a way, right?"

She was so adorable and pitiful, and kept calling him "handsome uncle." Though the refusal was on the tip of his tongue, Prince Jin found himself unable to say no.

Finally, he said ambiguously, "Little girl, even if you find Cang Lan, he may not be willing to save anyone."

"That means you agree," Gu Changning smiled sweetly. "Once we find him, I’ll think of a way to make him treat Father. Daddy’s so good; he can’t die so soon."

Prince Jin smiled cynically. "That Gu Jingzhi really is lucky. I promise you, little one. You be good and wait at home for news."